My Hamster is always very jittery and hardly comes out of her house!

[ktmay2]

Hi guys,
Just thought I should post for help with my jittery Ducky. Whenever I put my hand to the cage door waiting for her to waddle onto my hand (I don't like picking her up in case she doesn't want to come out) but it always takes her about 10 minutes before she actually pops up onto my hand! During the time when she is trying to decide whether to walk onto my hand or not she's just sitting right in front of me and looks very jittery and nervous.
She often never comes of her house either! She has got a very nice P@H house which she seems to love just a little too much... I've bought her a new cage which is on the way and is far bigger than the one she has now so hopefully that will sort out the problem.
Are these problems normal? I've had her since April so surely she should be comfortable around me..?
Thanks,
~Katie~

[souffle]

If she is confident and actually getting on your hand then that is very good. I would personally be a little more positive now and actively take her out and handle her so she gets used to the idea that coming out is rather good fun and she will enjoy it. Take the lid off and take the cage so a low soft area where you can really get to know each other. I'm sure she will like her bigger cage but she may become a little skitty again for a while as a cage move can be a bit stressful for them. You sound like a very caring hammy mum and I'm sure she realises this
It isn't unusual for them to be nervous about being taken from an enclosed house which is why we prefer the igloo type that you can just lift up to access the hamster.